16 August 2022

Pine pollen is the fine yellow powder released by pine trees every spring that forms part of the reproductive life cycle of the tree. If you live downwind of a pine forest, then it is inevitable you will see pollen colouring puddles, and coating your car or other outdoor surfaces during this time of year.

The pollen is released by male (pollen) cones and carried by the wind. After pollen makes contact with the ovules in female (seed) cones, fertilisation occurs, resulting in female (seed) cones filled with seed.

Did you know a mature Pinus radiata tree can produce between 0.5 and 0.75 kilograms of pollen each year? At a typical 400 trees per hectare, this is equivalent to up to 300kg per hectare per year. Pollen travels less than 700 metres but in windy areas it will travel further.

Read more: Radiata pine pollen